A second-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2010, Spikes played 51 games for the team from 2010 to 2013, earning a reputation as a top-flight run-stopping LB, but struggling as a pass rusher. Following the 2013 season, Spikes signed with the Patriots’ division rival the Buffalo Bills, and recorded a season-high 8 tackles against his former team.

The Patriots would go on to win Super Bowl XLIX, but afterwards would lose several key players in free agency: NT Vince Wilfork, CB Brandon Browner and CB Darrelle Revis all departed in free agency.